Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, weekend, raised the alarm over the growing number of children yet to receive vital immunisation in Gombe state.
Speaking during the official launch of the 2025 round of the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) campaign, Dr. Rafique, represented by UNICEF Health Officer, Oluseyi Olusunde, identified four local government areas, Dukku, Kwami, Funakaye, and Yamaltu-Deba, as high-risk zones with critically low immunisation coverage.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s 2020 milestone of being declared free from wild poliovirus, Dr. Rafique warned that outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus continues to threaten public health. She stated the urgent need to tackle vaccine misinformation and called on traditional leaders to support efforts in encouraging full immunisation compliance.
“Our work is not finished. We must fight misinformation and ensure no child is left behind,” she stated.
Representing Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya at the event, the deputy governor and chairman of the state Task Force on Immunisation, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, reaffirmed the state’s dedication to safeguarding children’s health.
Dr. Jatau highlighted the recent detection of five cases of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) in the state, describing the situation as a ticking time bomb if swift actions are not taken.